YOU'RE NEVER TOO OLD TO SURF

A PENSIONER has shown it's never too late to learn - by passing a computer course at the age of 98.

Mary Robinson, a widow from Shiplake, completed a five-week computers for beginners course, then attended three weekly sessions to learn how to use the spreadsheet program Microsoft Excel.

The former midwife got interested in computers when courses were set up at Sydney Harrison House, her sheltered accommodation complex in the village, and she saw a demonstration by learning

outreach workers from Oxfordshire County Council.

Mary said: "It's been wonderful. Computers are marvellous - there is so much you can do with them and so much to learn. I've been shopping, played cards and created files."

Mary learned to use the spreadsheet program to draw up shopping lists which automatically add up the cost of a spending spree. She also found out how to create and store computer files and store them within folders, a skill which has eluded many people a quarter of her age.

After mastering the mouse, she enjoys playing the computerised card game Free Cell. Outreach worker Iva Abbey said: "We take laptop computers to rural locations like Shiplake, and Mary came along to a three hour taster session. She said she only wanted to look, but now she really knows what she is doing.

"People of every age can change their lives through learning and Mary's achievement shows it's never too late to learn new skills. She really enjoyed the course and was always one step ahead."

Mary isn't the oldest person to have learned computing thanks to the county council - that honour goes to a 99-year-old woman from Watlington, called Ada, although she hasn't mastered as many computing skills as Mary.